Treat the Causes of Binge Eating Disorder for Lasting Recovery

Treating the causes of binge eating disorder (BED) is so much more than treating merely the symptoms. The underlying purpose of the eating disorder, or what caused the maladaptive eating patterns, are what we need to explore and deal with. Doing this will help lead to a stable, long-lasting recovery that conquers the causes of binge eating disorder instead of simply removing the symptoms of it.

Ignoring the Causes of Binge Eating Disorder Won’t Make BED Go Away

l have had periods where I remained free of my binging behavior but was still suffering and unhappy. We want things to be simple. We think if we stop the behavior that is making us miserable, then we will find peace. Unfortunately, things are not black and white.

I realized I needed to get to the root of my issues that showed themselves through binging. What I needed to work on were things like my low self-esteem, my anxiety, and my perfectionism. These things were not going to solve themselves by simply stopping the binging–a behavior that was helping me avoid dealing with these things. We will never truly feel happy and at peace until we dive beneath the tip of the iceberg into the deep waters of what is really going on within us.

Causes of Binge Eating Disorder Can be Healed

There are things many of us wish to avoid. We have most likely developed an eating disorder as a way to cope with these things that may seem unbearable. Try not to be mad at yourself for doing this. We are only trying to protect ourselves from the things that appear too challenging to face.

These things that seem unbearable, however, are the very things we need to look in the eyes and deal with. Going back in time to the development of your eating disorder is where you need to start. Explore those experiences and feelings (with a therapist) and, eventually, you can move past them.

Remember, eating disorders show themselves because we know no better way to cope. Once we are ready, we can deal with the things we wish to avoid, getting to the bottom of it all. This is a difficult but essential process.

You can do this. It will be difficult but I promise it will be worth it. Stay strong.

Author: Grace Bialka

Grace Bialka is a dance teacher and blogger in the Chicago suburbs. She graduated with a BA in dance from Western Michigan University. Grace has lived with an eating disorder and depression since the age of 14. She began writing in hopes of spreading awareness about eating disorders and mental illness. She firmly believes in the healing power of movement. Find Grace on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and her personal blog.

0 thoughts on “Treat the Causes of Binge Eating Disorder for Lasting Recovery”

I believe that where you are speaking from experience you are better able to be on the same level as someone who is currently dealing with an Eating Disorder or a body image issue. I say this because these types of disorders are incredibly personal and you need to be able to show empathy to truly have a connection to make a difference.